Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Stepping off the train, I hear Hagrid's booming voice calling for all first years. Looking at the giant man, I cast observe.
Rubeus Hagrid Lv ?
Observing some of the kids around me, I realized I could only see the level of those close to mine.
Cedric Diggory Lv 3
Fred Weasley Lv 4
George Weasley Lv 4
The level of [Observe] has risen by one.
All the other kids ranged anywhere from level 2 to 5. I climbed into a boat with 2 random first years and we set off towards the castle. As the towering castle came in to view, my breath caught in my throat. Up until now, it hadn't really set in, but I would be able to learn magic. Along with this realization, were thoughts of the grim future this world would face.A slight sense of panic set in before [Gamer's Mind] quashed it.
I knew I would need a plan. First things first, I needed to find some books on Occlumency. Although, [Gamer's Mind] would prevent any mental damage, it didn't say anything about defending against intrusions. I would assume that means I'm still vulnerable to Legilimency.
New Quest available.
[Fortify Your Mind]
Find information on Occlumency and begin the quest to fortify your mind.
Completion Rewards: 100 EXP
A defense against mental intrusions.
Seeing as the Marauder's Map wasn't in possession of the twins, I would need to snag that too. It would make getting around this labyrinth many times easier.
New Quest available.
[Mischief Managed]
Sneak into Filch's office without getting caught and obtain the legendary Marauder's Map
Completion Rewards:250 EXP
A map to Hogwarts.
We landed on the shore soon after. Hagrid led us up a narrow path and pounded on the wooden doors. Out walked Professor McGonagall, with a stern look on her face.
Minerva McGonagall Lv ?
"The firs' years Professor McGonagall."
"Thank you Hagrid. I will take them from here." She led us into the Great Hall and started explaining the sorting process.
"Soon I will lead you into the Great Hall to be sorted. When I call your name, you will step up to the stool and put the hat on. After being sorted, take a seat and wait for the feast to start. I suggest you take these few moments to smarten up, as the whole school will be present."
She left us in the entry hall for a few moments to prepare the sorting ceremony. Just then, 4 ghosts floated through the wall and the muggleborns started screaming.
The Bloody Baron Lv 11
Nearly Headless Nick Lv 10
These were the highest levels I was able to identify up until this point. From this, I can assume that I'm only able to view levels 10 above mine. McGonagall soon returned and led us into the Great Hall in a single file line. The first to be sorted was a boy named Miles Bletchley, who went to Slytherin.
"Cromwell, Alexander", McGonagall called my name.
I walked to the front of the room and placed the hat over my head. I didn't have any particular preference towards a house, so I just listened as the Sorting Hat deliberated over my placement.
"Hmmm, brave but not foolhardy like most Gryffindors. Willing to work hard, but not one for loyalty. Ah, here it is an ambition to learn all you can about magic. That settles it then."
"RAVENCLAW!" As the hat shouted the colors of my robes changed to blue and bronze. One of the middle tables applauded the loudest while the rest of the houses, politely clapped along. I took a seat with the rest of the 'Claws and tuned out the rest of the sorting. Instead, I decided to check out the available perks.
Perks
Polyglot- You have an instant mastery of 3 languages of your choosing. (Can be bought multiple times).
Bare Necessities- You no longer require sustenance or sleep.
Giant's Strength- Every five levels, gain an automatic 5 point boost to STR. Retroactive.
Goblin's Greed- Earn an extra 5% to any money obtained.
Merlin's Descendant- Every 5 levels, gain an automatic 5 point boost to INT. Retroactive.
Animagus- Choose and customize animagus form of your choice.
Although the [Giant's Strength] and [Merlin's Descendant] perks were tempting, seeing as they were retroactive, I could buy them at any time and still gain the maximum benefits. Instead, I decided to buy [Bare Necessities] next time I leveled up. I would have a lot more time to get things done without the need for sleep. The Sorting came to an end, with only Roger Davies joining him in Ravenclaw.
After Dumbledore finished his customary speech, food began to appear on the plates. Out of curiosity, I cast observe on some of the food.
[Lamb Chops] (Food)
A simple dish cooked by the house elves of Hogwarts. Restores 30 HP and 10 mp.
Observing some of the other dishes granted similar results. I stealthily stored some food in my inventory when I was sure no one was paying attention. My train of thought was broken when Roger decided to introduce himself.
"Hello, I'm Roger Davies, you're a muggleborn right? I thought maybe we should stick together seeing as we're the only first years in Ravenclaw and maybe I could answer any questions you have about the Wizarding World?"
I didn't really have any interest in hanging out with an 11 year olds, but I saw no reason to alienate myself right off the bat. I'll be spending the next 7 years here, might as well make what friends I can. I put on a fake smile and tried to lay on a bit of the muggleborn wonder towards everything magical.
"Nice to meet you Roger. My name is Alexander Cromwell, but you can call me Alex. I would really appreciate that. Everything here is amazing! I don't even know where to start."
Over the course of the feast, I asked him mundane questions I thought muggleborns would be curious about and took the time to find out some personal details. Roger was a halfblood. His brother had attended Hogwarts and graduated 2 years ago. If I remember correctly, Roger eventually becomes the Ravenclaw Quidditch team captain. Speaking of Quidditch, maybe I should join the team? That would be an easy way to gain popularity. By the end of the conversation I had learned a new skill and leveled it up twice. I had also learned of a new function in the Gamer system
[Deception] Lv 3 EXP: 25%
The act of deceiving someone into believing your lies or falsehoods.
CHA+15= Chance of Success
20% Chance of Success
-5% for every 5 levels someone is above you.
Unlocked Reputation List
The reputation list will categorize your reputation and relationship with people. Unless a person has a reason for hating you, your reputation starts 0, Neutral with anyone upon first meeting them. Here is the rating list
0 to 10= Liked
10 to 25= Friends
25 to 50= Trusted
50 to 75= Exalted
75 to 100= Worshipped
Roger Davies- Friends 25
It was a bit surprising to see that Roger already viewed me as a friend. But he is after all 11. That can also explain away how easy it was to fool him with my low chance of success with [Deception].
Dinner soon came to an end. After Dumbledore finished his recap of the rules, we were led up to the fifth floor by our prefect. We stopped in front of a with a bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle.
"This is the entrance to our common room," the prefect explained,"in order to enter, you have to answer the riddle. If you can't get the answer right, then you'll have to wait for someone who can. Now, the first person to answer the riddle will get the first pick of their room."
"I am always in front of you but never behind you. What am I?" the knocker asked.
After a moment of silence I spoke up.
"The future." With that, the door swung open, and I stepped past everyone to enter the common room. A moment later, everyone else filed in. While the upperclassmen headed off to bed, the prefect told us to collect our time tables here in the common room at 7:00 am the next morning. With that, he sent us off to bed.
While everyone else was turning in for the night, I had different plans. I first had to wait to ensure everyone was asleep. To pass the time, I decided to do some push ups to raise my stats. After a few hours of this and some stat gains I had decided I had waited long enough
Pushing your body causes STR to increase by 1.
Pushing your body causes your STR to increase by 1.
Pushing your body causes your END to increase by 1.
Pushing your body causes your END to increase by 1.
It was the middle of the night by the time I finished. Peeking out of my room, I made sure the common room was empty. I proceeded to sneak out and make my way to the first floor. All this sneaking around earned me yet another skill.
Through continuous use, you have created a new skill
[Stealth] Lv 1 EXP: 10.00%
Allows you to avoid detection when sneaking around and makes your presence more difficult to notice.
DEX+5= Chance of Success
10% Chance of Success
I eventually found Filch's office and made my way in. I made a beeline for the drawer marked "Confiscated and Highly Dangerous." Ruffling through it, I found a faded and tattered brown piece of parchment.
Unfolding it, I tapped my wand on it and chanted, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
As soon as I finished the phrase, lines of ink spread out across the page. I could see most people on the map were stationary in their dorm rooms. But there was one name on the map headed this way.
It was Filch. He was coming back to his office! I immediately took off to the nearest hidden passage and started making my way back to my dorm. As the passage closed I could hear Filch telling Mrs. Norris to sniff me out. Thankfully, I was able to make it back to my room without anymore encounters. As soon as i was safe in my room again, I heard a ping.
[Quest Complete]
You have earned 250 EXP
You have acquired the Marauder's Map
Mini-Map function unlocked.
Your level has been raised by 1.
After I closed the notification, a circular map appeared in the corner of my vision. It had the same function as the Marauder's Map and I toggle it on or off if it ever got disruptive.
I decided to open my stats and apply my perk point.
Name: Alexander Cromwell
Class: The Gamer
Title: N/A
Level: 2 Next Level: 75.00
HP: 100/100
MP: 100/100
STR: 8
END: 7
DEX: 5
INT: 9
CHA: 5
Skill Points: 5
Perk Points: 1
Money: 0
[Available Perks]
Polyglot- You have an instant mastery of 3 languages of your choosing. (Can be bought multiple times).
Bare Necessities- You no longer require sustenance or sleep.
Giant's Strength- Every five levels, gain an automatic 5 point boost to STR. Retroactive.
Goblin's Greed- Earn an extra 5% to any money obtained.
Merlin's Descendant- Every 5 levels, gain an automatic 5 point boost to INT. Retroactive.
Animagus- Choose and customize animagus form of your choice.
I chose [Bare Necessities] and immediately felt my fatigue vanish along with the appetite I had worked up during my work out session. With this issue settled, I decided to sleep until morning and explore some of the castle tomorrow night.
Most people wanted him to be moved a few years back, so I put him in the same year as the twins. Progress will probably be a bit slow for these first few chapters but I plan to speed it up eventually. Hope everyone enjoyed. Feel free to leave your thoughts in a review or PM me.